Bates College: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Bates College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 12.1%. Located in Lewiston, Maine, Bates was founded in 1855 by Maine abolitionists. Bates typically ranks among the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the country and is one of the top colleges in New England. The college has an impressive 10-to-1 student/faculty ratio, and two-thirds of students participate in study abroad. Students can expect a lot of interaction between students and faculty as the college places a strong emphasis on seminar classes, research, service-learning, and senior thesis work. Bates College was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences.

Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the Bates College admissions statistics you should know.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Bates College had an acceptance rate of 12.1%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 12 students were admitted, making Bates' admissions process highly competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Bates has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Bates may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 45% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted test scores during the 2018-19 admissions cycle, most of Bates' admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Bates scored between 630 and 750, while 25% scored below 630 and 25% scored above 750. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 640 and 730, while 25% scored below 640 and 25% scored above 730. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1480 or higher is competitive for Bates College.

Requirements

Bates does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Bates participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Bates does not require the optional essay section of the SAT.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Bates has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Bates may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 31% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted test scores during the 2018-19 admissions cycle, most of Bates' admitted students fall within the top 9% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Bates received a composite ACT score between 29 and 33, while 25% scored above 33 and 25% scored below 29.

Requirements

Bates does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Bates participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates. Bates does not require the optional ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of Bates College's incoming class was 3.73. This data suggests that most successful applicants to Bates have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Bates College. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Bates College has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and above average grades and test scores. However, Bates also has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on more than numbers. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. While not required, Bates offers interviews for interested applicants. Prospective applicants in the arts (music, theater, dance, art, film, and creative writing) may submit an optional art or performance portfolio. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and scores are outside Bates' average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. Most successful applicants had high school averages of "A-" or higher. You'll see a wider spread for standardized test scores, but nearly all applicants self-reported above average scores—often above 1200 for the SAT (ERW+M). Bear in mind that Bates College is test-optional, so students with scores outside of the reported range need not submit their scores to Bates.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Bates College Undergraduate Admissions Office.